Learn the best methods for cleaning your washing machine to ensure optimal performance and freshness. Easy step-by-step instructions and tips for maintenance.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine?
If you’ve noticed an unpleasant smell when opening your washing machine or a build-up of grime in your washing machine dispenser drawer, chances are your washing machine is overdue for a clean.
Washing machines work hard to keep our clothes clean and fresh, but they are full of nooks and crannies where grime can stick and mould can grow. Not only can this be smelly and unsightly, but it can also affect the effectiveness of your machine and damage your clothing. Regularly cleaning your machine is essential to maintain its optimum performance.
Below, we share how to clean out your washing machine to enhance its efficiency and lifespan and protect your clothes.
What tools you’ll need?
Cleaning your washing machine needn’t be a hassle. Many of the tools and products you need to effectively clean your washing machine can be found at home. This includes :
- Microfibre cloths
- Sponge
- Towel
- Toothbrush
- Distilled white vinegar and/or bleach
- Baking soda (optional)
Is it better to use bleach or vinegar to clean a washing machine?
If you want to know how to clean your washing machine naturally, you will want to stick with less harsh cleaning agents like distilled white vinegar. Thanks to its high acetic acid content, vinegar effectively breaks down mould and unwanted slimy accumulations that often build up in wet environments.
However, for more serious mould or mildew problems, you may find that bleach is a more effective cleaning agent. Bleach is highly oxidative, which is why it is used to brighten white items, but it can also kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses, making it ideal for tackling mould and mildew.
The benefits of regularly cleaning your washing machine
Regularly cleaning your washing machine offers numerous benefits, including :
Preventing the growth of bacteria
When you wash your clothes, dirt, grime, and other contaminants can accumulate in your machine. Over time, these can build up and create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Regularly cleaning your machine ensures a hygienic environment, protects you and your family from potential health risks, and keeps your clothes looking and smelling fresher.
Enhancing the efficiency of your washing machine
Keeping your washing machine drum, detergent drawer, filters, and other components clean will help you achieve better results while saving energy in the process.
Extending the lifespan of your machine
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your washing machine can help extend its lifespan by preventing wear and tear on components. Dirt can put excess strain on different parts of your appliance over time, leading to malfunctions and even breakdowns.
Reducing unpleasant odours
No one wants to wash their laundry in a smelly washing machine. Keeping your machine clean can help reduce the build-up of unpleasant smells and ensure your laundry comes out of the machine smelling fresh and clean.
Protect and maintain your clothing
Harmful bacteria and residue from previous washes can linger in your appliance and transfer onto your clothes during subsequent cycles, damaging the integrity of fabrics and causing colour fading.
How to clean your washing machine – A step-by-step guide
Discover how to clean your washing machine with our step-by-step guide :
- Start by cleaning out any excess detergent residue and gunk that has built up in your machine’s detergent drawer. A clean detergent drawer allows your machine to distribute detergent efficiently and can prevent the spread of mould and mildew spores to the rest of your machine.
- Check inside your machine for loose items like coins, hairpins, or small toys that may have gone unnoticed.
- Run your washing machine on an empty, regular hot cycle using two cups of distilled white vinegar in your washing machine’s detergent drawer instead of detergent.
- Once the cycle has finished, mix ¼ cup of vinegar with just over a litre of warm water. Use the solution to thoroughly clean the inside of your washing machine, using a sponge and toothbrush to ensure you reach all the nooks and crannies.
- Wipe down the exterior of your washing machine with the vinegar mix using a microfibre cloth.
- Finally, run your machine on another empty, regular hot cycle, but don’t add any white vinegar or detergent this time.
If you have noticed significant mildew or mould build-up in your washing machine, you can follow the above steps, swapping white vinegar for a quarter cup of bleach in your detergent drawer for a more intensive clean.
By regularly cleaning your washing machine using the above method, you can keep it in optimum condition and help protect the lifespan of your clothes.
Espresso Car Wash
Espresso Car Wash is New Zealand’s leading professional hand wash & grooming provider. Our approach to cleaning your car’s interior is personalised for each vehicle, addressing its unique needs to ensure it leaves us in pristine condition.
Book online or visit your nearest Espresso Car Wash branch today to revitalise the inside of your treasured vehicle.
